Several bills affecting California’s civil justice system are currently working their way through the state legislature, and many are likely to be the subject of media attention. As you research and develop articles on these issues, Central California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CCCALA) would like to serve as a resource to provide the perspective of consumers who understand the human and financial impacts of excessive and abusive litigation. We can also provide an important local take on how these proposals could affect local businesses and California’s overall economy. Specifically, CCCALA has taken the following positions:

Oppose: AB 634 (Steinberg, D – Sacramento, Simitian, D – Palo Alto) An elder abuse bill that would open the door for more frivolous litigation by making private settlement information a matter of public record. This bill would result in increased healthcare costs while also threatening jobs in California and decreasing the quality of care for elders.

Oppose: AB 1715 (Assembly Judiciary Committee and Senators Burton, D – San Francisco, Escutia, D – Whittier, Kuehl, D – Santa Monica) This bill could eliminate employment arbitration agreements resulting in more frivolous litigation against employers, further clogging our court system. This bill has been introduced at taxpayer expense, despite the fact that the California Supreme Court and Governor Davis have supported arbitration agreements.

Oppose: SB 466 (Escutia, D – Whittier) A bill that would eliminate confidential settlements in cases related to environmental hazards and product defects. SB 466 threatens jobs in California by taking away large and small business’ ability to protect trade secrets and competitive business information. If passed, this bill will set precedent for additional legislation targeted at various industries, or even broader legislation.

Oppose: SB 766 (Florez, D – Shafter) This bill creates a new loophole in CA law to allow more frivolous lawsuits against corporate officers and directors for allegations of securities fraud. Shareholders, seniors and retirees gain nothing from this legislation.

Support: AB 102 (Pacheco, R - Walnut) This bill states that before a lawsuit is filed, the plaintiff must bring to light evidence of harm endured. It would also place some controls over when personal injury lawyers can file lawsuits on behalf of the public. AB 102 attempts to remedy California’s Unfair Competition Law (Business & Professions Code 17200), which has been the subject of much media attention in recent weeks.

For more information on these issues, please contact CCCALA @ 916-638-8995 or CCCALA@attbi.com.

Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse is a nonprofit, legal watchdog group whose mission is to educate consumers on the costs of lawsuit abuse in order to create a climate for common-sense legal reform, and serve as a watchdog group over those special interests who seek to abuse the system for financial gain at the expense of consumers.